Mertens finally commits to Napoli, gets a two-year deal

Napoli all-time highest goalscorer,  Dries Mertens has finally put pen to paper on a two-year contract extension with the Naples club.

The future of the 33-year-old who broke the club goalscorers record against Inter Milan in the semi-final of the Coppa Italia is now expected to add more to the tally and create a new record for the Pertonopei.

This development has ended Inter’s reported interest in his service. According to reports, the Nerazzurri was willing to offer him a two-year deal with a bumper salary package.  The fast pace winger also declined to move to Chelsea.

It was gathered that the Belgian international put pen to paper on Wednesday afternoon, hours before the club faced Juventus in the Coppa Italia Final. The match which Napoli later won Juventus on penalties to win the trophy.

Reacting to the development via Twitter, Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis said that all parties are now happy to have sorted the Belgian’s future at the club.

Apart from signing an extended deal until 2022, Mertens has the option of a further year at the San Paolo.

Mertens, who was converted to a striker for the wing by former coach Maurizio Sarri is a true fans’ favourite for the Partenopei.

He will be hoping to retain the Coppa Italia for the club after it stops Juventus from winning it last season.

Mertens linked up with Napoli from PSV in 2013. He has netted 122 goals and assisted 73 in 310 appearances for the top club so far.

In another development, UEFA is yet to decide how the second leg of the last-16 tie between Napoli and Barcelona will be played.

This is coming from the latest announcement by the football governing body that has announced a mini-8 tournament for both the UEFA Champions League and the Europa League.

A decision is also yet to be made for the clubs that are also, however, to play their last 16 ties.

UEFA Executive Committee on Wednesday announced that the quarter-final Champions League ties would be held across two venues in Lisbon. The single games will hold between August 11 and 23.

It further announced that the four remaining Champions League Last-16 second legs, which involve Juventus-Olympique Lyonnais and Barcelona-Napoli games, will be played on August 7-8 at venues yet to be determined.

 

Written by: Oladipupo Mojeed